Stephen O’Donnell: ‘I think he has made the right decision in changing it’ says Coleraine defender before facing Glentoran

Steven Crawford

Stephen O’Donnell believes Coleraine have ‘clicked’ in terms of implementing a new strategy under Rodney McAree.

The Bannsiders were impressive as they ran out 2-1 winners at Linfield last Saturday.

Curtis Allen. Pic by Pacemaker.

And the Showgrounds skipper considers the changes made since McAree arrived at the club are now bearing fruit.

“To be honest, I think it took the squad a couple of weeks to implement some of the changes Rod has wanted us to make,” said O’Donnell.

“I know he spoke and said maybe he tried to have a few allowances at the start based on how we had done, but I think he has made the right decision in changing it and putting his stamp on the team.

“I think over the last four weeks in particular, the boys have really picked it up and gone with it.

“I think the Crues game was a good performance, the boys were unlucky away at Glentoran and we should have got a result against Cliftonville.

“We came out on Saturday and it seemed like it has finally clicked in the sense of with and without the ball and long may it continue.

“It was a massive three points for us against the Blues.

“Rodney said to us that it was our most important game of the season in terms of ‘do we want to kick on and go and try do something this season or do we continue to be patchy and inconsistent’ and for us we have put back-to-back wins together for the first time under Rodney.

“Hopefully that can continue and we can kick on.”

The Bannsiders opened up a six-point gap on Glentoran following their win at Windsor, but O’Donnell knows the Glens will be up for the battle on Saturday.

“I think they have improved from last season and you have to give them credit for that,” he said.